IntroductionIn
the two decades since the Compact Disc (CD) was released, few can argue
about the significant ways in which it has changed our habits in
accessing and listening to music. Its durability, diminutive size and
capability to be played universally in our homes, automobiles and
portable players gave consumers the opportunity to take their tunes
virtually anywhere. This had a phenomenal plus side over the previous
dominant format, the vinyl LP, with its limited durability and
restricted playback options. Unfortunately, the CD’s additional
flexibility created the potential problem of having your music
scattered throughout a multitude of listening environments and devices.
Personally, I've struggled for years to keep all of my CDs organized
and easily accessible. My collection has had a large amount of
attrition due to lost and loaned discs, not to mention the mysteriously
disappearing CDs that I keep buying repeatedly.

As mentioned in a previous review, I have used
computers to archive my music in one location in order to have access
without rummaging through every drawer, storage box, vehicle, etc. to
find a desired disc. This has worked well to a certain degree, but
requires a lot of attention and effort to create an effective playback
option. Fortunately, in the last several years, many companies have
taken on the effort of creating music servers that perform this task
with far greater finesse and functionality.

Qsonix,
a new AV company based in Agoura, California, has taken the typical
music server application to a new level of global function, creating
one of the most entertaining, effective, user-friendly music management
devices available. Their current offering, the Q100 Digital Music
System, incorporates a standard component-sized server with a 15-inch
LCD touchscreen controller, capable of supplying two zones of music. It
is this touchscreen controller and Graphical User Interface (GUI) that
really separates the Q100 from any previous music server that I have
experienced. Retail price for the basic Q100-160GB model reviewed here
is $5,495, but it can be upgraded for more storage capacity and
accessorized to fit various applications. This reviewed unit allowed
approximately 500 CDs to be stored using a proprietary lossless
compression scheme, and up to 3000 using the highest level of
compression.

Description
The Q100 is
cleanly designed, with enough architectural features to make it
interesting, yet capable of blending in with a broad array of other
manufacturers’ components. The front panel is functionally simplistic,
with a centered, lighted power button and a single-slot CD drawer
positioned above an open/close button. On the rear panel, the Q100
provides a coaxial S/PDIF digital audio output (24 bit, 192 kHz) and
two high-quality stereo analog (RCA) output jacks. There is also a VGA
video output with a resolution of 1024 by 768 and an RS232 serial
connection for integrating the touchscreen panel to the main chassis.
Additionally, a second RS232 port is provided for remote control or
combination with a home automation system. For future upgrades, Qsonix
has also included two USB 2.0 ports. Finally, there is a 10/100Mb
Ethernet connection for connecting the server to a high-speed Internet
service.

Physically, the main server chassis occupies approximately two bays in
a conventional system rack and is quite substantial in both its
construction quality and weight (21 pounds) for a relatively compact
component. Its overall dimensions are 17 inches wide by 14 inches deep
by four inches high (including the feet).

The
12-pound touch-screen controller measures 17 inches wide by 16 inches
high and six-and-a-half inches deep with its tabletop base. Rear panel
connectors are complementary to the connectivity of the Q100 server
chassis. The monitor is powered via a 12-volt external supply (similar
in size to a laptop power supply). For custom installations, the
touch-screen can be remotely located up to 600 feet away by utilizing
an optional CAT5 extension kit.

Audio performance and
specifications for the server are on par with other state-of-the-art
digital components. Qsonix claims a typical signal-to-noise ratio of
107dB, and a frequency response of +/- 0.6dB from 22 Hz to 20 kHz.